Keyword
to behead
- to chop
- to cut
- to sever
- Frequency
- #2246
- Strokes
- 8
Readings
zhǎn
Mnemonic
斤 (axe) gives the meaning and 车 the sound.
Stroke order
Composed of
Used in characters
Used in vocabulary
斩
to behead (as form of capital punishment); to chop
斩首
to behead; to decapitate
斩断
to cut off; to chop sth in half
斩获
to kill or capture (in battle); (fig.) (sports) to score (a goal); to win (a medal); (fig.) to reap rewards; to achieve gains
斩钉截铁
(lit.) to chop the nail and slice the iron (idiom); (fig.) resolute and decisive; unhesitating; categorical
腰斩
to chop sb in half at the waist (capital punishment); to cut sth in half; to reduce sth by a dramatic margin; to terminate; to cut short
斩杀
to behead
斩草除根
to cut weeds and eliminate the roots (idiom); to destroy root and branch; to eliminate completely
披荆斩棘
lit. to cut one's way through thistles and thorns (idiom); fig. to overcome all obstacles on the way; to break through hardships; to blaze a new trail
过关斩将
to surmount all difficulties (on the way to success) (idiom) (abbr. for 过五关斩六将 (guòwǔguānzhǎnliùjiàng))
先斩后奏
(lit.) execute sb first, then report to the emperor (idiom); (fig.) to act first and report later; to take action without prior approval
快刀斩乱麻
lit. quick sword cuts through tangled hemp (idiom); decisive action in a complex situation; cutting the Gordian knot
过五关斩六将
lit. to cross five passes and slay six generals (idiom); fig. to surmount all difficulties (on the way to success)
满门抄斩
to execute the whole family and confiscate their property
白斩鸡
Cantonese poached chicken, known as "white cut chicken"